Canada sanctions 38 entities and 24 individuals over Russia's war on Ukraine

Canada is imposing new sanctions on Russia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand announced Monday. According to Global Affairs Canada, she made the announcement on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Paris, France.

The measures add 38 entities and 24 individuals to Canada’s sanctions list under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. Global Affairs Canada said the listings are meant to reduce Russia’s military capabilities by targeting parts of its defence industrial base. These include actors involved in developing ballistic missile technology and in Russia’s cyber activities.

The department said the sanctions are also intended to raise the economic costs of Russia’s war against Ukraine. It said they target financial enablers, including crypto exchanges, that help sustain Russia’s war economy.

Global Affairs Canada said Russia continues its war against Ukraine and relies on networks that evade sanctions to sustain its military operations. It said the new sanctions will help limit Russia’s ability to strike civilian targets in Ukraine.

In a statement, Anand said Canada is acting to “undermine Putin’s capacity to strike Ukrainian cities with its missiles.” She said Canada will keep imposing costs on Russia until it ends its aggression and respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The release did not name the entities or individuals who were added. It also did not say where they are based or what penalties the listings carry.

According to the department, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,500 individuals and entities and over 700 vessels since 2014. It said they are complicit in violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and in gross and systematic human rights violations.

Global Affairs Canada said Canada and its allies and partners remain committed to increasing pressure on those who support Russia’s war effort. It said Canada will keep working with international partners toward a just and lasting peace consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter.